"You've done no good," he ended, "by attacking the line and tearing up a few rails. Your methods were too wild to bring about any real damage. All you have done is to make it additionally hard for me to get you safely out of the country." "Humph!" grunted the Corporal rather sourly. "I know you've done some neat little things in Liege, but could you manage a better affair out here? I give you leave to try. As for getting us out, I don't see much prospect of that coming off, my lad." "I'll get you out if you'll drop all these wild-cat exploits," replied Max firmly. "Is it a bargain?" The Corporal consulted with his men for a few minutes. "No," he said, shaking his head emphatically, "the men refuse to sneak out of the country before they have what they call redressed the wrong done those poor villagers. They want one more good cut at the Germans to make that good, and then they are ready to make tracks for home, if you think you can get us there." "Will you let me plan the reprisal attack as well as arrange to get you out?" asked Max quickly. The Corporal opened his eyes a little. "So _you_ do think you can do better? Well, I don't mind; you shall plan the reprisal and then get us out of the mess. Done!" "Done!" replied Max firmly, and it was thus settled that he should, from that time forward, practically take command of the little band, subject only to the stipulation that the escape should not be arranged until the Germans had been made to pay, and pay handsomely, for their recent exhibition of brutality. As soon as that was decided, Max changed the direction of the retreat to due east, and in that direction they continued all day. When night fell, the men looked about them for a comfortable spot to sleep, but Max would not allow them to stop, and, with frequent halts for rest, they continued on their way all through the night. There was some grumbling, but it was soon silenced; and, when all was said and done, the men recognized that Max managed to feed them fairly well. This part of the business he saw to himself. At nearly every farm-house he passed he managed to purchase some food. None of the soldiers were allowed to come within sight of the people, and, with this precaution, and his knowledge of the language, he hoped that no suspicions of the destination of the food would be aroused. During the following day the band hid themselves in a copse and slept. It was nearly dark when Max aroused them and told them they must go on. "We've been travelling a good many miles, lad," remarked Shaw carelessly. "Where are we now?" "In Germany," replied Max. "Germany!" cried the Corporal, his carelessness vanishing. "Why--what d'ye mean? D'ye think we want to find a good safe prison?"